Operating device, use of an operating device, and method for producing an operating device

ABSTRACT

An actuation apparatus (1) for a functional device, having a pressure actuation element (2) for carrying out a pressing movement which is connected to an axially displaceable control element (3), wherein the control element (3) includes an application location (4) which can be moved into an active connection with the functional device or which is in an active connection with the functional device in the position for use. At least one compensation element (5) is arranged or constructed between the pressure actuation element (2) and the application location (4), and the compensation element (5) allows a position change of the pressure actuation element (2) relative to the application location (4) in a radial direction (6).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an actuation apparatus for a functional device, having a pressure actuation element which is connected to an axially displaceable control element, wherein the control element has an application location which can be moved into an active connection with the functional device or which is in an active connection with the functional device in the position for use. The functional device may be in particular a sanitary functional device. For example, the actuation apparatus can be configured to control a valve, in particular to move it into an open position or into a closed position. Other functional units may be, for example, a sanitary fitting and/or a toilet tank of a toilet. By pressing the pressure actuation element, a pressing force can be transmitted to the functional device via the control element and the application location.

The invention further relates to the use of an actuation apparatus for controlling a functional unit.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for producing an actuation apparatus for a functional device.

BACKGROUND

Actuation apparatuses of the type mentioned in the introduction have the disadvantage that the assembly and in particular a correct orientation of a facing or a housing relative to the actuation apparatus is often difficult to carry out. Generally, the pressure actuation element is inserted in an opening of the facing or the housing in the assembled state so that a millimetre-precise orientation of the actuation apparatus and the facing or the housing relative to each other is necessary.

SUMMARY

Consequently, the problem addressed by the invention is to provide an actuation apparatus with properties for use which are improved with respect to previously known actuation apparatuses.

This problem is solved according to the invention by an actuation apparatus having one or more of the features disclosed herein.

In particular, an actuation apparatus of the type mentioned in the introduction is proposed according to the invention in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, wherein at least one deformable compensation element is arranged or constructed between the pressure actuation element and the application location, wherein a position change of the pressure actuation element relative to the application location in a radial direction is possible as a result of the compensation element. The compensation element allows the pressure actuation element to be subsequently orientated correctly relative to an opening within a wall, for example, of a housing and/or of a facing. Consequently, simpler assembly of the actuation apparatus is possible because the actuation apparatus and the housing and/or the facing can be installed with greater tolerances during the precise arrangement thereof.

Alternatively or additionally, in particular an actuation apparatus of the type mentioned in the introduction is proposed according to the invention in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, wherein the compensation element fixes the control element for different radially offset relative arrangements of the pressure actuation element and the application location in a radially play-free manner relative to each other. As already described above, it is thereby possible to subsequently orientate the pressure actuation element correctly relative to an opening within a wall, for example, of a housing and/or a facing. Furthermore, in the solution described it is not necessary or provided for a play to be configured between the control element and the pressure actuation element and/or between the control element and the compensation element. Instead, the compensation element allows the position of the pressure actuation element to be freely adjusted relative to the application location.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention which can be combined alone or in conjunction with the features of other embodiments optionally together with the above features are described below.

According to a preferred embodiment of the actuation apparatus, there may be provision for the at least one compensation element to be in the form of an insertion element, in which a free end of the control element can be inserted at different positions and can be radially fixed or in which a free end of the control element is inserted at different positions in the position for use and is radially fixed. In this case, it may be particularly preferable for insertion and fixing which are both central relative to a geometric centre of the pressure actuation element and also decentralised to be possible. Consequently, it is possible to connect the pressure actuation element to the control element by means of a practically free selection of position and to orientate it correctly.

In order to allow particularly simple assembly, there may be provision according to an advantageous embodiment for the at least one compensation element to be constructed from a deformable mass, in particular from a mass which is deformable in a reversible or non-reversible manner.

Alternatively or additionally, there may be provision for the at least one compensation element to have a plurality of resilient bristles and/or bristle bundles which are bent when a free end of the control element is introduced. In particular, the bristles and/or bristle bundles can be configured in such a manner that a retention force acts on the control element as a result of the bristles and/or bristle bundles. The pressure actuation element can thereby be fixed on the control element in the position for use.

According to another advantageous embodiment, there may be provision for the pressure actuation element to comprise a cap in which the at least one compensation element is at least partially received. Therefore, the cap can act as a counter-bearing when the control element is introduced into the compensation element. Alternatively or additionally, the cap may form a stop face for the control element.

According to another advantageous embodiment, there may be provision for a position change of the pressure actuation element relative to the application location in a radial direction to be prevented after the control element is introduced into the at least one compensation element by a retention force which is produced by the at least one compensation element. Consequently, it is possible to prevent a user of a functional device who is actuating the actuation apparatus from releasing or displacing the pressure actuation element inadvertently.

In order to be able to better prevent the actuation element from tilting when it is actuated by a user, there may be provision according to an advantageous development for the control element to extend through the compensation element in the position for use. Consequently, a hole can really be formed in the compensation element with the control element by a displacement of material and/or bristles being brought about. A connection which can be configured in a particularly simple manner and which is nevertheless stable can thereby be produced between the pressure actuation element and the control element.

According to another advantageous embodiment, there may be provision for the at least one compensation element to be constructed as a portion of the control element. In particular, the at least one compensation element can be inserted as a portion into a control rod of the control element. This embodiment can be implemented alternatively or additionally to the construction variant described above. It has the advantage that the pressure actuation element practically orientates itself correctly during assembly, for example, when it is inserted into a recess of a facing and/or a housing provided therefor.

In order to be able to achieve an even simpler assembly, there may be provision according to a development for at least partial bending of the control element to be possible in the region of the at least one compensation element, in particular at least partial bending of a or the control rod of the control element, so that the portion of the control element placed after the compensation element is orientated at an angle obliquely relative to a straight portion of the control element. Preferably, the control element can be bent in such a manner that an end, which is connected to the pressure actuation element, of the control element is not located on a linearly extending longitudinal axis of a non-deformed portion of the control element, by which portion the application location is formed.

In order to configure the best possible force transmission from the pressure actuation element to the control element, there may be provision according to an advantageous development for a stop face, in particular a stop face which is constructed on an inner side of the cap, of a cap of the pressure actuation element, for example, the already previously mentioned cap of the pressure actuation element, to be constructed to be non-planar. In particular, the stop face may have a concave curvature.

According to another advantageous embodiment, there may be provision for the at least one compensation element, such as, for example, a compensation element which is in the form of a part of the control element, to be constructed as a restoring element, preferably as a spring. Consequently, the provision of an embodiment which is relatively simple and cost-effective to produce is possible.

In order to fix a radial position of the application location, there may be provision for the actuation apparatus to have at least one guide for the control element. In particular, this may be a guide for the portion of the control element which has the application location. Thus, a radial position of the application location may be non-variable as a result of the guide. Alternatively or additionally, the compensation element can be configured in such a manner that a radial position of the application location cannot be changed by the compensation element. Thus, a displacement of the pressure actuation element relative to the application location cannot inadvertently be brought about.

The invention further relates to the use of an actuation apparatus as described and/or claimed herein in order to control a valve and/or a sanitary fitting and/or a toilet tank. Precisely in the case of sanitary functional devices, in which at least partially a layer of plaster is applied during assembly of a facing and/or a housing, it is often difficult or impossible to carry out subsequent fine orientation between the actuation apparatus and the facing and/or the housing by the position of the application location or the position of the opening for the pressure actuation element to be adjusted relative to each other. Therefore, the actuation apparatus according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in such functional devices.

The invention further relates to a method for producing an actuation apparatus for a functional device, for example, the actuation device described and/or claimed herein, wherein a pressure actuation element is orientated by means of a deformable compensation element radially relative to an application location of a control element. As already explained in detail above in relation to the actuation apparatus, it is also possible by means of the method according to the invention to carry out a simple, subsequent orientation of the pressure actuation element. This is particularly helpful when an opening of a facing and/or a housing is also installed in a fixed manner and/or in the position in a non-variable manner and the orientation of the pressure actuation element is subsequently carried out.

According to an advantageous development, there may be provision for a free end of a control element to be introduced into the compensation element at a central and/or decentralised position and fixed in this position in order to orientate the pressure actuation element. Consequently, it is possible in a particularly simple manner to allow a rapid assembly and/or correct orientation of the components of the actuation apparatus by means of a free relative arrangement between the control element and the pressure actuation element.

According to another advantageous development, there may be provision for the control element to be bent at a compensation element which is inserted into the control element in order to orientate the pressure actuation element. Consequently, it is thereby possible to allow rapid assembly and/or correct orientation of the components of the actuation apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to a number of embodiments but is not limited to these embodiments. Other embodiments result from the combination of the features of individual claims or several claims with each other and/or with individual features or several features of the embodiments.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a first possible construction variant of an actuation apparatus according to the invention, wherein the control element which is at least partially in the form of a pin is introduced at a freely selectable location and/or at a previously non-defined location into the compensation element, wherein a central introduction position is shown here,

FIG. 2 shows the first possible construction variant of an actuation apparatus according to the invention from FIG. 1, wherein a decentralised introduction position is shown here,

FIG. 3 shows an exploded illustration of the first construction variant from FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4 shows another exploded illustration of the first construction variant from FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 5 shows a second possible construction variant of an actuation apparatus according to the invention, wherein the control element has a dimensionally variable compensation element which makes the control element at least partially flexible, wherein a central introduction position is shown here,

FIG. 6 shows the second possible construction variant of an actuation apparatus according to the invention from FIG. 5, wherein a decentralised introduction position is shown here,

FIG. 7 shows the second possible construction variant of an actuation apparatus according to the invention from FIG. 5, wherein a decentralised introduction position is shown here with even greater redirection of the control element with respect to the illustration from FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the radial redirection/position change of the control element enabled by the compensation element, in particular of the portion of the control element located downstream of the compensation element, with respect to a linear reference axis in a y plane, preferably wherein even a three-dimensional redirection is possible here, and

FIGS. 9, 10 show a third possible construction variant of an actuation apparatus according to the invention, wherein a combination of the above-described construction variants is involved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 10 show different construction variants of an actuation apparatus according to the invention which are generally designated 1. However, the invention is not limited only to the embodiments shown in the Figures.

The actuation apparatus 1 is used to be able to operate a sanitary functional unit. For example, it is possible to activate an actuation mechanism therewith. Examples of sanitary functional units may be, for example, a valve and/or a sanitary fitting and/or a toilet tank.

The actuation apparatus 1 has a pressure actuation element 2 and a control element 3 which is brought into cooperation with the pressure actuation element 2 in the position for use. A pressing force which is applied by a user via the pressure actuation element 2 can be transmitted to the functional device by the control element 3. To this end, the control element 3 has an application location 4 in order to be able to connect the actuation apparatus 1 to the functional device.

If the actuation apparatus 1 is connected to the functional device, the application location 4 with the functional device can be displaced into an active connection so that a force transmission is possible. There are known from the prior art a large number of known application locations 4, such as different mechanical, electronic, pneumatic and/or magnetic connections which are not listed in detail herein.

The application location 4 may, for example, be constructed at an opposite end to a free end 8 of the control element 3, which free end 8 is connected to the pressure actuation element 2.

The actuation apparatus 1 has at least one compensation element 5 which allows a plurality of different radial relative arrangements of the pressure actuation element 2 in relation to the application location 4.

Consequently, the compensation element 5 is arranged and/or constructed between the application location 4 and the pressure actuation element 2.

As a result of the compensation element 5, a position change of the pressure actuation element 2 relative to the application location 4 in a radial direction 6 is possible. Furthermore, the compensation element 5 serves to fix the pressure actuation element 2 in a relative position in a radially play-free manner within an opening provided therefor. This position change can be achieved in different manners, as described below.

According to a construction variant shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the compensation element 5 may be in the form of an insertion element 7. Consequently, a free end 8 of the control element 3 which is in the form, for example, of a pin, can be introduced into the insertion element 7 and at least radially fixed therein. No play is formed in a radial direction 6 between the pressure actuation element 2 and/or the compensation element 5 and the portion of the control element 3 introduced therein.

The portion of the control element 3 introduced into the insertion member 7 may further have a rotation prevention member 21. In this case, for example, the rotation prevention member 21 can be constructed in that the portion has at least partially a non-round cross section. In particular, the portion may have a cross-like or star-like cross section.

Consequently, it is possible to introduce the control element 3 both in a central position 19 and in a decentralised position 20 with respect to a geometric centre 9 of the pressure actuation element 2.

For example, the compensation element 5 may have a deformable mass 10 which is preferably reversibly deformable or may be produced from such a mass 10. The portion of the control element 1 provided for introduction into the compensation element 5 can consequently be constructed to be stiffer than the mass 10 so that a displacement and/or penetration of the mass is produced during introduction.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one compensation element 5 may have a plurality of resilient bristles and/or bristle bundles which are bent when a or the free end 8 of the control element 3 is introduced. Consequently, a retention force can act on the control element 3 and can fix it in its position as a result of the bristles or bristle bundles.

The actuation apparatus 1 further has a cap 11. The cap 11 may be configured, for example, as a pressure actuation element 2, for example, by a user being able to apply a pressing force to an outer side of the cap 11. The pressure actuation element 2 may be, for example, in the form of a push-button, a button and/or a lever.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show that the compensation element 5 is at least partially inserted into the cap 11. After the control element 3 is introduced into the compensation element 5, consequently, the control element 3 is also partially introduced into the cap 11.

There is constructed at an inner side of the cap 11 a stop face 12, against which the control element 3 strikes when it is introduced into the cap 11 to the maximum extent. As a result of the stop face 12, an axial position of the control element 3 can be fixed relative to the cap 11.

The compensation element 5 produces a retention force which acts counter to a position change in a radial direction after the pressure actuation element 2 has been orientated relative to the control element 3.

FIGS. 5 to 8 show an additional embodiment of an actuation apparatus 1 which has a control element 3, in which a compensation element 5 is inserted as an intermediate portion. The regions of the control element 3 before and/or after the compensation element 5 can instead be constructed to be stiff. Preferably, consequently, the control element 3 can be bent particularly only in the region of the compensation element 5, preferably bent in a reversible and/or non-destructive manner. Therefore, the at least one stiff region serves to be able to axially transmit the necessary actuation force. Consequently, the correct orientation of the control element 3 is carried out once during assembly by means of bending in the region of the compensation element 5. In the assembled state, however, the control element 3 preferably does not bend any further. The actuation function thereby remains available.

Consequently, it is possible to bend the control element 3 in the region of the compensation element 5. In other words, the compensation element 5 separates the control element 3 into a portion 15 which is bent relative to a longitudinal axis (reference axis) 17 (of a linear portion 16) and a straight, non-bent portion 16, wherein the bent portion 15 is redirected through an angle 14 relative to the non-bent portion 16. The application location 4 can be constructed on the non-bent portion 16. The straight portion 16 and/or the reference axis 17 may be located at an output side of the actuation apparatus 1. The portions 16, 17 which are separated from each other by the compensation element 5 can be constructed to be stiffer than the compensation element 5. Preferably, the portions 16, 17 can be constructed in a stiff manner so that they do not bend when used correctly, in particular do not bend in a radial direction, and are therefore used to transmit force in an axial direction via the output side. Accordingly, the reference axis 17 corresponds to a longitudinal axis 17 of a linearly extending and/or non-redirected control element 3. By redirecting the control element 3 via the compensation element 5, it is possible to configure a contact point between the control element 3 and the cap 11 in a central position 19 of the cap 11 or at least practically central position 19 of the cap 11. Therefore, a better force transmission is possible, particularly when a pressing force is applied.

In this instance, the control element 3 has a control rod 13, wherein the compensation element 5 is in the form of an intermediate piece of the control rod 13. In order to achieve the deformability of the compensation element 5, the control element 5 can be constructed to be thinner at least partially in the region of the compensation element 5 and/or can have a diameter which is reduced in terms of cross section. In particular, at least one material recess, by which the compensation element 5 is constructed, can be provided on the control element 3.

In this construction variant, a stop face 12 is also formed by the cap 11. The stop face 12, which is also formed at the inner side of the cap 11 in this case, of the cap 11 of the pressure actuation element 2 is constructed in a non-planar manner, in particular constructed in a concave manner. In this case, a lowest point of the cap is arranged centrally, preferably wherein a geometric centre 8 of the pressure actuation element 2 and the lowest point are located on a common axis, in particular located on the longitudinal axis 17 (of a non-bent control element 3) or located on an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis 17. This embodiment has the advantage that the pressure actuation element 2 is orientated relative to the application location 4 during loading. A contact point (or a contact face) between the stop face 12 and the free end 8 of the control element 3 is no longer located on the longitudinal axis 17 when the control element 3 is redirected through an angle 14 by means of the compensation element 5, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. The contact point and/or the contact face may preferably be located at the lowest region of the cap 11 in this case.

The compensation element 5 is preferably in the form of a restoring element 18 so that a pressing pressure of the control element 3 on the stop face 12 can be developed by the restoring force of the restoring element 18, preferably by which restoring force even better fixing is possible.

The actuation apparatus 1 may further have a housing and/or a cover and/or a facing, wherein an opening and/or a recess for the pressure actuation element 2 is provided therein, wherein a change in the relative position between the pressure actuation element 2 and the application location 4 of the control element 3 can be achieved by the above embodiments of the compensation element 5 so that a play-free arrangement of the pressure actuation element 2 inside the opening is possible. Therefore, there may be provision for a spacing between the pressure actuation element 2 and the edge of the opening to be completely uniform.

The construction variant of FIGS. 9 and 10 constitutes a combined version of the construction variants of FIGS. 1 to 8. Furthermore, FIGS. 9 and 10 additionally also illustrate a connection means 22, at the output side of the control element 3, which may generally also be part of the actuation apparatus 1 and via which an axial force transmission is possible. FIG. 9 shows the non-mounted state and FIG. 10 shows the mounted state. For example, the connection means 22 may be a snap-fit connection. Consequently, pressure forces and tensile forces can be transmitted via the control element 3. Furthermore, a snap-fit connection can be configured in a particularly simple manner without tools being necessary for this.

Consequently, the invention particularly relates to an actuation apparatus 1 for a functional device having a pressure actuation element 2 for carrying out a pressing movement which is connected to an axially adjustable control element 3, wherein the control element 3 comprises an application location 4 which can be displaced into an active connection with the functional device or which is in an active connection with the functional device in the position for use, wherein at least one compensation element 5 is arranged or constructed between the pressure actuation element 2 and the application location 4, wherein a position change of the pressure actuation element 2 relative to the application location 4 is possible in a radial direction 6 as a result of the compensation element 5.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Actuation apparatus -   2 Pressure actuation element -   3 Control element -   4 Application location -   5 Compensation element -   6 Radial direction -   7 Insertion element -   8 End of the control element -   9 Geometric centre of the pressure actuation element -   10 Deformable mass -   11 Cap -   12 Stop face -   13 Control rod -   14 Angle -   15 Bent portion -   16 Straight portion, output side -   17 Longitudinal axis, reference axis -   18 Restoring element -   19 Central position -   20 Decentralised position -   21 Rotation prevention member -   22 Connection means 

1. An actuation apparatus (1) for a functional device, the actuation apparatus comprising: a pressure actuation element (2) connected to an axially displaceable control element (3), the control element (3) has an application location (4) which is movable into an active connection with the functional device or which is in an active connection with the functional device in a position for use, and at least one deformable compensation element (5) arranged or constructed between the pressure actuation element (2) and the application location (4), the compensation element (5) being configured to allow a position change of the pressure actuation element (2) relative to the application location (4) in a radial direction (6).
 2. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the compensation element (5) fixes the control element (3) for different radially laterally offset relative arrangements of the pressure actuation element (2) and the application location (4) in a radially play-free manner relative to each other.
 3. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one compensation element (5) comprises an insertion element (7), in which a free end (8) of the control element (3) is insertable at different positions and is radially fixed or is inserted in the position for use and is radially fixed.
 4. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one compensation element (5) is constructed from a deformable mass (10).
 5. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one compensation element (5) comprises a plurality of resilient bristles and/or bristle bundles which are bent when a free end (8) of the control element (3) is introduced.
 6. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pressure actuation element (2) comprises a cap (11) in which the at least one of the compensation element (5) or the control element (3) is at least partially received.
 7. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein a position change of the pressure actuation element (2) relative to the application location (4) in a radial direction is prevented after the control element (3) is introduced into the at least one compensation element (5) by a retention force produced by the at least one compensation element (5).
 8. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control element (3) extends through the compensation element (5) in the position for use.
 9. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one compensation element (5) is constructed as a portion of the control element (3).
 10. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein at least partial bending of the control element (3) is possible in a region of the at least one compensation element (5).
 11. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 6, wherein a stop face (12) is constructed on an inner side of the cap (11) to be non-planar.
 12. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one compensation element (5) is constructed as a restoring element (18).
 13. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one guide for the control element (3).
 14. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuation element is configured to control at least one of a valve, a sanitary fitting, or a toilet tank.
 15. A method for producing an actuation apparatus (1) for a functional device, the method comprising: orienting a pressure actuation element (2) in a compensation element (5) radially relative to an application location (4) of a control element (3), and connecting the pressure actuation element (2) to the control element (5) in a play-free manner.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein a free end (4) of a control element (3) is introduced into the compensation element (5) at least one of a central position (19) or decentralised position (20) and fixed in this position in order to orientate the pressure actuation element (2).
 17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising bending the control element (3) at the compensation element (5) which is inserted into the control element (3) in order to orientate the pressure actuation element (2).
 18. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one compensation element (5) is inserted as a portion in a control rod (15) of the control element (3).
 19. The actuation apparatus (1) according to claim 18, wherein there is at least partial bending of the control element (3) in a region of the at least one compensation element (5) such that the portion (15) of the control element (3) placed after the compensation element (5) is orientated at an angle (14) obliquely relative to at least one of a straight or non-bent portion (15) of the control element (3). 